Architectural References within Émile Zola’s Novel, The Ladies’ Paradise

Layal Al Sahli; Zeynep Tuna Ultav; Müge Sever

Article Details

Architectural References within Émile Zola’s Novel, The Ladies’ Paradise

Authors:

Layal Al Sahli | Zeynep Tuna Ultav | Müge Sever

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Sanat ve Edebiyat

Journal:

Litera: Dil Edebiyat ve Kültür Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.653-673

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282682

pISSN:

2602-2117

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The depiction of space in literature is crucial to every story as it guides the readers imagination regarding the storys location and the characters surroundings. This paper studies the relationship between architecture, interiors, and literary spaces by using a methodology that draws on architectural literary analysis, a methodology that uses literature as a medium to define and analyze architectural spaces and cues. Specifically, it investigates the connections between architectural and spatial references and their influences on societal concerns in literature  the literary space within The Ladies Paradise 1883, a novel by Émile Zola 1840-1902. The retail space portrayed within the novel dominates the narrative. Thus, the architectural spaces are described to support the storyline. These spatial cues indicate a specific overall theme, namely capitalism  an important issue to discuss within architectural discourse. Zola reveals a new perspective on the social and architectural impacts on society under capitalism through the public interior space of Ladies Paradise. The research also indicates the correlation between architecture, public space, and retailing culture through the birth of the department store, thus forever altering societys ideology on retail culture. Although the novel is categorized as fictitious, the representation of 19th-century retailing culture, womens role within society, and the significance of architecture are shown to be realistic to that time. In conclusion, this paper reveals the dialogue between architecture, societal gender issues, and the evolvement of retail culture through the medium of literature and derives lessons from this dialogue.

 The depiction of space in literature is crucial to every story as it guides the readers imagination regarding the storys location and the characters surroundings. This paper studies the relationship between architecture, interiors, and literary spaces by using a methodology that draws on architectural literary analysis, a methodology that uses literature as a medium to define and analyze architectural spaces and cues. Specifically, it investigates the connections between architectural and spatial references and their influences on societal concerns in literature  the literary space within The Ladies Paradise 1883, a novel by Émile Zola 1840-1902. The retail space portrayed within the novel dominates the narrative. Thus, the architectural spaces are described to support the storyline. These spatial cues indicate a specific overall theme, namely capitalism  an important issue to discuss within architectural discourse. Zola reveals a new perspective on the social and architectural impacts on society under capitalism through the public interior space of Ladies Paradise. The research also indicates the correlation between architecture, public space, and retailing culture through the birth of the department store, thus forever altering societys ideology on retail culture. Although the novel is categorized as fictitious, the representation of 19th-century retailing culture, womens role within society, and the significance of architecture are shown to be realistic to that time. In conclusion, this paper reveals the dialogue between architecture, societal gender issues, and the evolvement of retail culture through the medium of literature and derives lessons from this dialogue.

 The depiction of space in literature is crucial to every story as it guides the readers imagination regarding the storys location and the characters surroundings. This paper studies the relationship between architecture, interiors, and literary spaces by using a methodology that draws on architectural literary analysis, a methodology that uses literature as a medium to define and analyze architectural spaces and cues. Specifically, it investigates the connections between architectural and spatial references and their influences on societal concerns in literature  the literary space within The Ladies Paradise 1883, a novel by Émile Zola 1840-1902. The retail space portrayed within the novel dominates the narrative. Thus, the architectural spaces are described to support the storyline. These spatial cues indicate a specific overall theme, namely capitalism  an important issue to discuss within architectural discourse. Zola reveals a new perspective on the social and architectural impacts on society under capitalism through the public interior space of Ladies Paradise. The research also indicates the correlation between architecture, public space, and retailing culture through the birth of the department store, thus forever altering societys ideology on retail culture. Although the novel is categorized as fictitious, the representation of 19th-century retailing culture, womens role within society, and the significance of architecture are shown to be realistic to that time. In conclusion, this paper reveals the dialogue between architecture, societal gender issues, and the evolvement of retail culture through the medium of literature and derives lessons from this dialogue.

 The depiction of space in literature is crucial to every story as it guides the readers imagination regarding the storys location and the characters surroundings. This paper studies the relationship between architecture, interiors, and literary spaces by using a methodology that draws on architectural literary analysis, a methodology that uses literature as a medium to define and analyze architectural spaces and cues. Specifically, it investigates the connections between architectural and spatial references and their influences on societal concerns in literature  the literary space within The Ladies Paradise 1883, a novel by Émile Zola 1840-1902. The retail space portrayed within the novel dominates the narrative. Thus, the architectural spaces are described to support the storyline. These spatial cues indicate a specific overall theme, namely capitalism  an important issue to discuss within architectural discourse. Zola reveals a new perspective on the social and architectural impacts on society under capitalism through the public interior space of Ladies Paradise. The research also indicates the correlation between architecture, public space, and retailing culture through the birth of the department store, thus forever altering societys ideology on retail culture. Although the novel is categorized as fictitious, the representation of 19th-century retailing culture, womens role within society, and the significance of architecture are shown to be realistic to that time. In conclusion, this paper reveals the dialogue between architecture, societal gender issues, and the evolvement of retail culture through the medium of literature and derives lessons from this dialogue.

Article Details

Architectural References within Émile Zola’s Novel, The Ladies’ Paradise

Authors:

Layal Al Sahli | Zeynep Tuna Ultav | Müge Sever

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Sanat ve Edebiyat

Journal:

Litera: Dil Edebiyat ve Kültür Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.653-673

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282682

pISSN:

2602-2117

Architecture and literature

capitalism

Émile Zola

literary space

The Ladies’ Paradise.

Issues

Article Details

Architectural References within Émile Zola’s Novel, The Ladies’ Paradise

Authors: Layal Al Sahli | Zeynep Tuna Ultav | Müge Sever

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Sanat ve Edebiyat

Journal: Litera: Dil Edebiyat ve Kültür Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.653-673

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2023

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001282682

pISSN: 2602-2117

Architecture and literature

capitalism

Émile Zola

literary space

The Ladies’ Paradise.

Issues

Authors:

Layal Al Sahli | Zeynep Tuna Ultav | Müge Sever

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Sanat ve Edebiyat

Journal:

Litera: Dil Edebiyat ve Kültür Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.653-673

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001282682

pISSN:

2602-2117